Counterfeit

 I lived in Mozambique a couple of years back and when you went shopping you had to have a sharp eye. For example you could get all kinds of tools - Stamley for instance. Not a StaNley. One small letter change and that makes it not the real thing. A Stamley hammer will probably break in two if you nail something down. Or if you bought a Stamley screwdriver it will twist and break and make you faceplant into the wall. I once bought an ironing board which underneath the floral print consisted of cardboard which bent like a pretzel when used as intended. 

There were also Homdas. Like a friend said once “It looks like a motorbike, it makes the sounds of a motorbike but its not a motorbike ” Wheels usually fell off, nuts and bolts were made from plastic. A danger on the road if you don’t take it immediately off to the mechanic.

There were even cookies that closely resembled a known and trusted brand but wasn’t. You get the idea. You see it was all this junk imported into Mozambique. I am 100% convinced the importers thought that nobody will notice that it’s not the real thing. Plus in Moz, that wonderful country, once you buy something there is a no return policy. Stuck with counterfeit stuff. The whole country filled with it and as always everyone just ignores and goes on with life. Tricked into thinking this is the real thing. 

Anyway lately i was pondering on how the devil can take something and just change it slightly, gold plate a piece of plastic and present it as something special and worth having. Trick and treat. Selling the counterfeit. But why would you go for that? I think the main reason is ease and availability. The real stuff is costly. Hard to get. And a real life takes effort. Lots of hard work. 

And so i urge myself to look closely at my life and notice where i take the easy road, the counterfeit cheap option. I am choosing The Real Thing. It’s costly but oh so worth it.

Bella